Chair of Trustees steps down after eleven years of service

Chair of Trustees steps down after eleven years of service

Greyhound Trust announces that Professor Steve Dean has stepped down as Chair of the Board of Trustees after nearly eleven years of dedicated service to the charity.

Steve joined the Board in October 2015 and has helped guide Greyhound Trust through a period of significant change and development. Throughout his tenure, his focus has remained steadfast: ensuring that retired racing greyhounds have the opportunity to enjoy safe, loving homes and the best possible future after racing.

During Steve's time as Chair, more than 25,000 retired racing greyhounds have found homes through Greyhound Trust's homing network. The charity has strengthened its foundations and resilience, navigating significant challenges including COVID and important changes in the wider funding landscape. Under his leadership, Greyhound Trust opened its first owned homing centre, paving the way for further owned locations and providing greater long-term stability for the charity and the greyhounds it serves.

These developments have helped place Greyhound Trust in a stronger position to support retired racing greyhounds both now and in the future.

As Greyhound Trust enters its next chapter, the organisation remains firmly focused on the greyhounds at the heart of its mission. The charity is currently finalising its next five-year strategy, which is centred on homing more greyhounds and continuing to strengthen the systems, support and infrastructure that enable successful homing across the country. Every decision will continue to be guided by what is best for retired racing greyhounds.

Professor Dean said:

"It has been a privilege to serve Greyhound Trust over the past eleven years. I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved during that time and grateful to everyone who has contributed to the charity's success. Our volunteers, branches, staff and supporters share an unwavering commitment to greyhounds, and it has been an honour to work alongside them.

"The welfare and future of retired racing greyhounds has always been at the heart of every decision we have made. I leave knowing that the charity is in a strong position, with a clear purpose, dedicated people and an exciting future ahead."

Raymond Harding, Vice Chair of Greyhound Trust, said:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Steve for his outstanding contribution to Greyhound Trust. His leadership, commitment and passion for greyhound welfare have helped guide the charity through a period of considerable change and achievement.

"The Board remains united in its commitment to our mission and to ensuring that the welfare and successful homing of greyhounds remains at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to building on the strong foundations that have been established."

Lisa Morris, Chief Executive of Greyhound Trust, said:

"I have had the privilege of working alongside Steve for more than a decade. Together, we have seen the charity navigate challenges, embrace opportunities and continue to evolve in support of greyhounds and those who care for them, while strengthening the organisation for the future.

"Steve has always championed the importance of putting greyhounds at the centre of our thinking, and I would like to personally thank him for his dedication throughout our time working together.

"Greyhound Trust is entering an exciting new phase. We are financially stable, operationally strong and absolutely focused on our mission of finding more loving homes for retired racing greyhounds."

The Board extends its sincere thanks to Steve for his leadership, commitment and dedicated service over nearly eleven years and wishes him every success in the future.

Note: At their meeting on 9th June 2026, the Board of Trustees elected Raymond Harding as the new Chair of Greyhound Trust and Chris Reeves as Vice Chair.